Nichols on Hockey writes …. Nobody really wants to take Andrew MacDonald’s contract. Nobody really wants to take Vinnie Lecavalier’s contract. Philly knows if they want to move those guys, they’re probably going to have to eat a chunk.

These are interesting times in Montreal. The news that Brendan Gallagher has signed a massive, six year extension to his contract with the Canadiens signals a potential complete strategy turnaround on the part of general manager Marc Bergevin.

Gallagher is the first – and so far only – player of any note on the squad to move directly from his entry-level contract to such a long term commitment. The deal is believed to average out at around $3.75 million a season. The rationale for Gallagher accepting the deal is cut and dried, but what the move says about the Canadiens’ plans going forwards has got pundits scratching their heads. Does this signal a change of tack?